The Legal 500

National IP specialist HFG Intellectual Property Consulting Co Ltd is a full service firm fielding three offices in China and 11 partners. Founded by a team of intellectual property experts in 2000, the firm has built a leading reputation, and is continuing to expand its reach, particularly on the litigation side. It provides the full range of IP services including copyright, trade mark and patent matters, as well as assisting with anti-counterfeiting, unfair competition and domain names. Recent highlights include acting for Castrol, Hennessy and Radiodetection on trade mark infringement and unfair competition. The firm’s enviable client list also includes Amazon, AkzoNobel, BMW, Diesel and Philips. Tiger Zhao and Daisy Yao are recommended.

IP specialist Creatop & Co covers a broad range of matters including trade marks, patent and copyright litigation, trade secret protection, unfair competition and customs protection. With a client base comprising both domestic and foreign clients, the firm is regularly called upon for commercial investigations and court representation. Trade mark attorney Bin Sha is the firm’s executive partner.

Full-service firm Watson & Band is wellrecognised in the fields of mechanical engineering, electronics, physics, chemistry and biotechnology. It is regularly instructed on matters such as applications for patents, trade marks and copyrights, anti-counterfeit and related litigation. Shenmin Xu represented a Japanese company in the first litigation against a Chinese company, and was involved in the first patent infringement case between two foreign companies in China. Managing partner George Fu has extensive international experience.

Allbright Law Offices has a range of expertise and acts for both domestic and international clients including Nike, GE and Microsoft. The firm frequently prosecutes and defends on infringement cases, unfair competition actions, internet and technology-related disputes, franchise disputes, false advertising claims, trade secrets litigation and restrictive covenants and various other intellectual property claims. It also provides non-contentious advice. Senior partner David Chen heads the department.

Boss & Young Attorneys at Law has particular expertise in IP licensing. Although the bulk of its practice operates out of Beijing, the Shanghai office handles all its IP licensing issues. Recent work includes advising a digitial content security company in relation to configuration and licensing agreements, and advising a large French company on trade mark matters.

HaoLiWen PRC Attorneys advises on trade marks and patents and copyrights, and represents clients seeking administrative and judicial remedies for IP infringement. The firm has led negotiations over patent licensing regarding DVD players and served as legal counsel in various technology and music copyright licensing projects. Highlights included representing a NASDAQ-listed company on its IP protection in China, and advising a US company on its trade mark transferring strategies in a potential spin-off project. Additionally, it has acted for an international service company on the protection of cartoon images and a strategy for the registration of a trade mark series. Yan Zhang is the key partner contact.

Although headquartered in Shenzen, Shu Jin Law Firm’s Shanghai office includes Xianlan YI, who has considerable expertise in IP, particularly internet-related matters. The firm regularly assists private entrepreneurs, advising on the procurement of patents, protection, infringment and licensing. Other services include trade mark infringement investigation, unfair competition and trade secrets.